Hamilton Bungy: Could the city's new bridge be a tourism attraction?

Wednesday, 1 May 2019

Hamilton City Councillors are looking at whether having a bungy, similair to Auckland's Harbour Bridge, could be viable on the city new southern bridge (FILE).

A bungy jump platform could be added to the new city bridge across the Waikato River.

Hamilton City Council staff are making inquiries to AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand into whether the proposed $50m to $60m bridge to the Peacocke development is suitable as a tourism attraction.

Mayor Andrew King made the suggestion at a meeting of elected members on Tuesday where they were given a progress report on the bridge proposal.

The bridge will be about 40m above the river. Auckland Harbour Bridge is 45 meters high.

A bridge catering for pedestrian use and cycling across the Waikato River from Cobham Dr to the new Peacocke Development is on the cards.

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'Is this a time to approach AJ Hackett and ask if they want to put some money into putting a platform on the bridge to bring tourism into our city?' King said.

Councillors at the table said it was an idea worth exploring and staff said they'll follow up.

Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief executive officer Jason Dawson said the feasibility of a bungy operation would have to be looked at.

'It will have some height so it's really up to whether the industry or an investor would want to operate on the bridge,' Dawson said.

AJ Hackett Bungy could not be reached for comment.

A new bridge should be iconic, Dawson said. Bridges are 'Instagram worthy' and can be tourism hotspots.

But Council stakeholder sessions have found 'very little interest in an aesthetic landmark bridge' though work will be done on the aesthetic appeal of the bridge.

'It is a shame,' Dawson said.

'As long as there is a viewer platform on there and pedestrian access is key.'

Council's strategic development manager Andrew Parsons said there was high interest in gaining good access across the river for cars, pedestrians and bikes.

Four bridge options were looked at including an archway and cable-stay bridge. The preferred option, which needs to be confirmed at the next Growth and Infrastructure Committee meeting on May 7, meets budget, use, environmental and safety considerations.

'This is the basic bones of the bridge and will now give us opportunity to further develop it aesthetically so it can be a great experience for people looking at, travelling on or under the bridge,” Parsons said.

'We'll also keep in mind how some of our infrastructure ends up being used in other ways like steps which are often used for fitness.'

Work will also be done on access the river below the bridge to one of the city's few beaches.

'I understand a lot of steamboats used to be beached there for cleaning back in the day. It's a really significant opportunity to come later on in the process and I think there is potential to do something with that beach. It's a critical asset for the city.'

The bridge will be part-funded by the Government's 10-year interest free Housing Infrastructure Fund and NZ Transport Agency subsidies. Associated roading links take the project to more than $100m.

In the next 10 years, Peacocke will be home to 9000 people. The bridge will be completed by 2024.